Exodus 12 14

Exodus 12:14 kjv

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Exodus 12:14 nkjv

'So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.

Exodus 12:14 niv

"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD?a lasting ordinance.

Exodus 12:14 esv

"This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

Exodus 12:14 nlt

"This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 14 Meaning

This verse decrees that the day of the Passover and the associated Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be permanently observed by Israel. It is established as a memorial to God's act of deliverance from Egypt, a feast of joyful celebration unto the LORD, and a perpetual ordinance to be kept by all succeeding generations, signifying its unchanging and enduring nature within the Old Covenant. It ensures that the mighty act of redemption will be remembered, relived, and taught to future generations.

Exodus 12 14 Context

Exodus chapter 12 details the final, decisive plague upon Egypt: the death of the firstborn, and simultaneously, the institution of the Passover. This event marked the crescendo of God's judgments against Pharaoh and Egypt, compelling them to release Israel. Verse 14 comes after the specific, initial instructions for that first Passover night (Exod 12:1-13). It broadens the immediate command for that night to a perpetual, multi-generational requirement, ensuring that the deliverance would never be forgotten. Historically and culturally, feasts (Hebrew: chagim) were central to ancient societies' religious and communal life. However, unlike the often fertility- or season-based festivals of surrounding nations, Israel's Passover Feast was uniquely centered on Yahweh's specific redemptive act, challenging pagan deities and affirming God as the one true deliverer. It established a calendar centered on God's salvation history, reinforcing Israel's identity as a covenant people.

Exodus 12 14 Word analysis

• And this day (Hebrew: הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, ha-yom ha-zeh): Emphasizes the specific, historical day of deliverance from Egypt as the starting point. It's not just a future celebration, but one rooted in a concrete event.
• shall be unto you for a memorial (לְזִכָּרוֹן, le-zikaron):
  • memorial (zikaron): From the root zakar (to remember). This isn't merely recalling information, but an active, commanded liturgical re-enactment and communal celebration designed to make the past deliverance present and relevant. It functions as a teaching tool and identity-shaper for subsequent generations. It ties Israel's identity intrinsically to God's redemptive work.
• and ye shall keep it a feast (וְחַגֹּתֶם אֹתוֹ, vechaggotem oto):
  • keep it a feast (chagag, root of chag): Signifies joyous celebration, often involving pilgrimage, dancing, and general rejoicing. It implies participation and delight, not merely dutiful observation. It transitions from a sober night of urgency to an annual festive observance.
  • a feast (חַג, chag): Refers to a pilgrim festival, highlighting its significance as a joyous assembly.
• to the LORD (לַיהְוָה, la-YHWH): Reinforces that the celebration is God-centered. It's commanded by Him, performed for His glory, and is a remembrance of His mighty acts, establishing the proper object of worship.
• throughout your generations (לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם, le-doroteychem): Literally, "for your generations." This stresses the intergenerational mandate, ensuring that the memory and meaning of the Passover would be passed down continually from parents to children, maintaining the community's historical and spiritual connection to the Exodus.
• ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever (חֻקַּת עוֹלָם, chuqqat olam):
  • ordinance (chuqqah): Refers to a divine statute, a prescribed rule or custom that is fixed and binding. It conveys the immutability and authoritative nature of the command directly from God.
  • for ever ('olam): Denotes perpetuity, an indefinite future, or eternally binding. Within the context of the Mosaic Covenant, it signifies that this command is an enduring, perpetual requirement, not a temporary instruction, pointing towards the ultimate eternal fulfillment found in Christ.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "this day... memorial... feast... to the LORD": These terms together create a picture of a foundational, perpetually celebrated, God-honoring commemorative event. The pairing of "memorial" (a serious remembrance) with "feast" (a joyous celebration) reflects the duality of Passover: sober reflection on suffering and joyful exultation over deliverance.
  • "throughout your generations... by an ordinance for ever": The repetition and layering of terms like "generations" and "forever," along with "ordinance," underscore the profound and unwavering intent of God for this command to be perpetual and deeply ingrained in Israel's identity and worship for all time within the Old Covenant dispensation. It hints at the enduring spiritual truths and ultimate, eternal reality the Passover foreshadows.

Exodus 12 14 Bonus section

• The Power of Repetition: The repetition of "ye shall keep it a feast" and the emphasis on "generations" and "for ever" serves a significant rhetorical purpose. It highlights the non-negotiable, fundamental, and unending nature of this divine command. It signifies the feast's pivotal role in forming and sustaining the spiritual life and identity of God's people.
• From Temporal to Eternal: While "forever" ('olam) in the Old Testament often signifies a very long or indefinite period (like "a man's lifetime" or "until a king dies"), in covenant contexts (like this verse), it carries a weight implying continuity for as long as the covenant endures. The ultimate "forever" of redemption is found in the eternal covenant secured by Christ's singular sacrifice, which fully transcends and perfects the shadow of the Passover.
• Community and Identity Formation: The command for perpetual observance created a recurring framework for community gathering, storytelling, and the reaffirmation of shared identity as the redeemed people of God. Every year, families would recount the foundational story of their freedom, connecting them personally and generationally to the divine acts of salvation. This active remembrance distinguished them from all other peoples and united them in their gratitude and obedience to Yahweh.

Exodus 12 14 Commentary

Exodus 12:14 serves as a linchpin, transitioning the immediate historical event of the first Passover into a permanent covenant ritual. It emphasizes that divine redemption demands perpetual remembrance and joyful worship. The Passover was not just about the past liberation from Egypt; it was an annual, embodied reminder that God is a saving God who intervenes powerfully on behalf of His people. The "memorial" function was designed to prevent spiritual amnesia, while "feast" ensured the remembrance was joy-filled, fostering corporate identity and gratitude. The dual emphasis on "generations" and "forever" reveals God's commitment to establishing His saving acts as the continuous cornerstone of His people's identity. This command ultimately finds its fullest and eternal meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ, "our Passover Lamb," whose sacrifice delivers not just from physical slavery but from sin and death eternally, ushering in a new covenant of remembrance through the Lord's Supper.